Fluke Goal leaves Sports gutted

U16's Saturday Division One Notts Youth League

Hucknall Sports 1 Notts Coltz 2

18/10/14

Sports entertained Notts Coltz at Goosedale Sports complex with both teams looking to bounce back from defeats in the previous weeks.

Fair to say that both teams line-ups were almost unrecognisable with Sports playing Kal Orton at right-back instead of his customary goalkeeper position. Whilst in midfield last weeks MOM winner Ellis Evans moved to a more central position. The opening moments of the game were fairly even but Sports had the better of the chances to score.  A Tom Eastwood inswinging free-kick evaded everyone and narrowly missed at the far post. A near post shot by Mitch Davies from a Lang corner was cleared off the line and a repeat move almost brought about a goal moments later. Eventually Sports did take the lead when Lang smashed home from just inside the box after good work from strike partner James Hallam. In defense Sports rarely looked troubled as Notts reverted to a long ball game with Hucknall Keeper Keaton Sharpe safely dealing with everything that made its way through to him. Hucknall's best chance to extend their lead came towards the end of the half when the mercurial Danny Darlow jinked his way around a couple of players and pulled the ball back to the penalty spot where Lang blasted a first time shot that looked for all the world to be headed for the back of the net until a miraculous save from Notts keeper scrambled it away. 

Half-Time: Hucknall Sports 1 Notts Coltz 0

The second half was very similar to the first with Sports playing on the break with their lightning fast strikers terrorising Notts backline. Lang tested the keeper with a stinging shot that was parried away and then looked all set for a goal-bound shot only for a tremendous last ditched tackle from Darian Roberts to deny him. Coltz continued with their long ball tactics and got a lucky break when Sports failed to clear their lines and the ball was driven home. With 10 minutes to go Notts took the lead for the first time in the game when a 'shinned' attempt at a shot swerved away from the goal and Dylan Smith back-headed clearance rebounded off the head of the Coltz right winger and looped into the back of the net. Sports refused to throw in the towel and debutant Kieran Worthington had a terrific effort snatched from the top corner. Still chances fell to Sports but try as they might the goal just wouldn't come.

Full-Time: Hucknall Sports 1 Notts Coltz 2

How Sports didn't get something out of this game I will never know. They created all the best chances and played all the creative football. Another wonderful performance from the opposition keeper has denied them of victory. It's never nice to lose, particularly when playing so well but Hucknall should keep their heads high and opposition management and coaches were full of praise for how well we did. 

Tom Eastwood MOM

Man of the Match today was Tom Eastwood. From the first moments of the game he drove his team forward. His team mates need to gamble a little more to make sure they get themselves into the box to be on the end of some terrific crosses. But this was an exhibition of wing-play that his old coach Andy Dorrans would have been so proud of, as are his current coaches - well done Tom.